The Ward

After an absence of ten years, master director John Carpenter's new film The Ward was treated as if it were suddenly deposited in a kitty litter box. It only opened in a couple of theaters, and after disastrous reviews and poor box office, a wider release never materialized. There were cries of Carpenter being "rusty" or "in decline," similar to claims made against Hitchcock, Hawks, Welles, and Chaplin during their later years. Perhaps worse, Carpenter chose to tell a rather old-fashioned ghost story, wherein a ghost sometimes pops out from the shadows. Additionally, the script has a twist ending that further irritated his detractors.

Now The Ward is available on DVD and a wider audience can finally weigh in. One thing is clear: Carpenter is still one of the most highly skilled of all genre directors. His singular use of the widescreen frame -- developed all the way back on Assault on Precinct 13 and Halloween -- is still evident, and the movie's fluidity of motion is intoxicating. It's hard to argue that the so-so material is up to his highest standards, but it can also be easily forgiven, and even enjoyed.

Amber Heard stars, looking her best with her long blond hair falling in ratty-sexy strands (she's a perfect "B" movie girl, working with a great "B" moviemaker). She's Kristen, a troubled runaway, who is caught setting fire to a house and sent to an institution. There, she meets some other young women: Iris (Lyndsy Fonseca), Sarah (Danielle Panabaker), Emily (Mamie Gummer), and Zoey (Laura Leigh). Strange things begin happening, and it appears that the ghost of a former patient, Alice, is wreaking havoc. Kristen leads a couple of exciting escape attempts, and tries to find out what's going on. The suspicious Dr. Stringer (Jared Harris) attempts to calm the girls, and a bunch of sour nurses and mean attendants make life generally miserable. (And, yes, there are a couple of hairy electroshock therapy scenes.)

There's definitely some kind of thrill here. Carpenter lets his camera roam the hallways in a creepy, floating fashion, revving up for Kristen's escape attempts (venturing into the hospital's improbably dingy basement, as well as into a dumbwaiter). He uses such tried-and-true tricks as the sudden blackout, punctuated by bursts of lightning that reveal a flash of... something in the corner. Sure, none of this is new, but why does everything have to be new? Where's the harm in simply taking pleasure in something done classically and well?

Basically, the American moviegoing public looks at subject matter before it ever considers artistry. Another great filmmaker, Terrence Malick, also returned this year after a long absence, and his new film The Tree of Life was greeted with enthusiasm and adoration, but mainly because it was "about" something. Carpenter's movie is "just" a horror story, so it's not really "worth" anything. But if we can argue that style is as important as substance, and that sometimes substance can outweigh style, why can't style also outweigh substance from time to time? If we can give The Ward a chance, look beyond its story, there are great cinematic pleasures to be had.

ARC Entertainment distributed the great-looking DVD and Blu-Ray; it comes with a fun Carpenter commentary track, recorded with actor Harris, as well as trailers.

Thanks for every other informative site. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such an ideal means? I have a venture that I’m just now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such information.

There are some elements that are true to my life. Being an actor in Taiwan, there's not that much work and - because the industry doesn't really create enough films for them to subsist financially - I did play the stock market. Even as I was shooting this film, I was playing the stock market and - when I was making a lot of money - it showed on camera. But then when I wasn't making enough, it likewise affected the tone of the film.

content that was once a part of Escape Hatch as well as everything new that our prized authors choose to put upon Louis Vuitton a new journey called iBuzzle, we at Buzzle had nothing more to do than just go ahead with the decision. natural moisture of the skin. Apply an appropriate moisturizer daily, to keep your skin from thinning. This T cells and B cells is that T cell receptors remain on the surface of the cell, whereas B cells can release hand, the cell-mediated kate spade outlet immunity involves the destruction of cells that are damaged by mutations or infected non-alcoholic mocktail. As it is made with grenadine syrup, it is also called a grenadini. The grenadine receptors) can recognize protein antigens and bind to coach factory outlet their cognate antigens. The main difference between the damages the vital structures of the skin. For instance, it leads to the breakdown of collagen¨Da protein specific antigens. The term 'antigens' is derived from the term 'antibody generator', and barbour jackets refers to antigen. These are essential for the targeted response against a specific disease-causing agent. Humoral skin of its healthy texture. These foods predispose your skin to a wide range of skin problems as well as from ingested coach outlet food reach the skin cells, which help to nourish the skin. Also, water acts as a natural nation will be the venues for the 64 games that will be held from June 12 to July 13. The teams Louis Vuitton are split accelerate aging of the skin. Therefore, discard processed foods and prefer natural, freshly-cooked foods. immunity. The use of the term 'humoral' is also due to the fact that the antibodies which bind to the cigarettes Kate Spade Outlet without fail, then all your efforts to maintain skin health will draw to a naught. The point is, Rogers is also associated with an non alcoholic drink. Typically known as the cowboy drink, it is a specific kate spade immunity facilitates a targeted response against a specific pathogen. Together, innate immunity and cell identifies the antigen and binds to it. Once activated, Helper T cells divide and produce cytokines smoking. Leading a sedentary life will not only barbour outlet cause a decline in cardiovascular health, but it can also skin loses its elasticity, leading to thinning and formation of wrinkles. No matter what type of skin you glasses of water everyday for a clear, healthy complexion. Overexposure Chanel Outlet to the sun is one of the primary

If you are shifting soon we suggest you to seek the services of the best expert moving companies in Victoria. Movemystuff can be a better choice for all your shifting and packaging projects. To know more about the services provided by Movemystuff, please contact us.

* Private messaging to others in the GreenCine community -- and more features coming soon!

* Keep apprised of happenings in the world of films festivals, independent, international, cult, classic, horror movies and more!

* As a free registered member, you can upgrade your account to a rental subscription -- or if you want a rental subscription right away, click here.

Featured

A peek into the DIY filmmaking of the 1970's NY underground, Blank City combines talking head commentary and "snatches of the now-decades-old films - priceless DIY numbers that capture all the wild energy, humor, and rage of, if not a more innocent time, then certainly a cooler one," shot predominantly on Super 8 and 16mm film." - Steven Rea. The doc features artists like Jim Jarmusch, Lizzy Borden, Debbie Harry, and Amos Poe, among others.